British Scene Weekend Preview

While the big story in British boxing this weekend is the showdown between Carl Froch and Jermain Taylor, there are also two local televised shows happening in the UK this weekend.

Dave Oakes previews Sky's Friday night show, featuring Don Broadhurst's defense of his Commonwealth super-flyweight title against Ghana's Asamoah Wilson. The following night, Setanta features the British featherweight title clash between champion Paul Appleby and challenger, Martin Lindsay. Matt Chudley has the preview for that one.

Friday April 24 Don Broadhurst vs Asamoah Wilson (Sky) By Dave Oakes Don Broadhurst makes the second defence of his Commonwealth super-flyweight title on Friday night at the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, England. His opponent, Asamoah Wilson, has got this title chance after a not so impressive start to his career - he’s lost all three of his fights, one by knockout. I've no idea how a boxer with such a paltry record can get a title shot, but when you consider that Broadhurst won the title against a fighter with an official record of only 1-1-1 and made his first defence against a fighter with a verified ledger of only 2-0, it doesn't really come as a surprise. I should point out that Wilson claims his record is 12-3-2, but there’s little solid evidence to back his claim up. Wilson is a complete unknown to everyone outside of his hometown and I've got a feeling that not many people in Accra know who he is either. Hopefully, he'll be able to take the talented Broadhurst a few rounds and make the young Brit work hard for a victory. Broadhurst is a fast stylist with the ability to win a world title but he needs a lot of learning fights to progress to that level. I just hope he steps up the level of competition after this fight. Darren McDermott takes a warm up fight against journeyman Jamie Ambler on the undercard as he prepares for his much anticipated fight with Darren Barker. Hot prospect Jamie Cox continues his career with a good little test against Mark Lloyd. e-mail Dave Oakes

Saturday April 25 Paul Appleby vs Martin Lindsay (Setanta) By Matt Chudley In an exciting clash of rising prospects Paul Appleby defends his British Featherweight title against fellow unbeaten Martin Lindsay on Setanta Sports this Saturday. The 14-0 Appleby will travel to the Ulster Hall in Linday's hometown of Belfast after Hayemaker promotions ponied up a sizeable offer to entice the young Tommy Gilmour fighter across the Irish sea. Lindsay, who had previously moved over to Canada to try and furthur his career was pursued aggressively by Adam Booth and Dave Coldwell and became an early addition to the Hayemaker stable. Although he may be the younger man by five years Appleby has the greater experience in the professional ring having faced the now Commonwealth Champion and scourge of several prospects, John Simpson in addition to former world title challenger Esham Pickering. Appleby has also recieved a high level of competition in the gym, sparring with fellow Edinburgh native and former WBO super-featherweight champ Alex Arthur from the age of 16 and locking horns with current 122lb king Israel Vasquez on a trip to the gyms of southern california. Lindsay's career best win to date came against the now free falling Derry Mathews in a British title eliminator. Arguably needing a knock out, Lindsay ended the lanky scouser's night with a picture perfect left hook in the 9th round. Appleby's size, power and higher level of competition make him the favourite in this one but accomplished amateur and skillful counter-puncher Lindsay is more than capable of punishing any reckless assaults from the younger man. The undercard features blue-chip Hayemaker prospects George Groves and Michael Maguire as well as stay busy fights for British light-middle champ Ryan Rhodes and former premiership footballer Curtis Woodhouse. Viewed by many as the best prospect in the UK, George Groves returns to action after a one round stoppage of the 19-5-2 Paul Samuels in only his 3rd pro fight. Having got the better of James DeGale in their amatuer head to head the West London fighter felt unlucky not to be at the 2008 Olympics but appears much more suited to the pro game than Gold Medalist DeGale, with his aggresive sharp punching style. e-mail Matt Chudley